The Jervis McEntee Diaries - September 18, 1888

Diary Entry:

Tuesday, Sept 18, 1888 A note from Husted today tells me Oct. 2 is an excellent time to go to Bisby for the sketch. He will be there. I wrote him and told him I would go with Wilkinson and I have written the major to say I would go with him. It has been a melancholy sort of day, grey and close and threatening rain. I went down town after breakfast and this afternoon I have been up to the eaves of the Carriage house on the N. side examining the roof which leaked badly last night. I think I could patch it if I dared go upon it but it is so steep and slippery I am afraid to. My lameness does not permit me to do these things as I once did. I found the gutter which was never put on correctly, was rusted through over a large space, and altogether it was discouraging. I wish I had the money to have it put in order for I am not able to do it myself. In reading Macauley, although he never worked for money I am struck by the importance he justly placed on making provision for a competence and I felt a sensation of relief that by the time he returned from India he had secured it. Always after that he had a feeling of security and perfect independence which is indispensable to the happiness of every right minded man. I sometimes feel appalled when I consider how uncertain are even my small provisions for the years that may be left to me.